Carlos Alcaraz overcomes ‘nervous’ start to beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli on return at Argentina Open

Carlos Alcaraz was pushed hard on his return to action as he overcame Camilo Ugo Carabelli in his opening match at the clay-court Argentina Open.

Playing for the first time since losing in the Australian Open quarter-finals in late January, the world No. 2 and defending champion ultimately had too much quality for qualifier Ugo Carabelli as he won 6-2 7-5.

But home favourite Ugo Carabelli impressed with his shot-making and threatened to force a deciding set before Alcaraz pulled through by winning nine of the last 10 points.

Alcaraz will next play another qualifier, Andrea Vavassori.

“It was a really tough match,” said Alcaraz.

“He’s a really good fighter, a really good player, good rhythm. He was really tough to beat.

“I started really nervous, I’m not going to lie, with the crowd behind him, supporting him. I think it’s normal, obviously, but really happy with my first match on clay since Roland-Garros. Hopefully [I can] keep going better and better.”

But Alcaraz did not have it all his own way against Ugo Carabelli in the early stages, with the match starting with four successive break of serves.

Ugo Carabelli broke for a 2-1 lead with a brilliant passing shot down the line, but Alcaraz replied and then got the first hold with a forehand smacked down the line.

Alcaraz started to show off his range of hitting and drop shots as he pulled away to take the set.

Ugo Carabelli showed plenty of fight as he broke Alcaraz to start the second set.

A marathon fourth game saw the Argentine save six break points before Alcaraz’s hard hitting eventually drew him level at 2-2.

At 30 minutes the second set had already lasted as long as the first, and it followed the same pattern as Alcaraz dialled up his hitting and took the lead.

The world No. 2 produced a brilliant lob when pushed back into the corner and also continued to use the drop shot to good effect as he moved 5-2 ahead.

But Ugo Carabelli had some highlight-reel shots of his own and broke when Alcaraz was serving for the match.

The qualifier twirled his racquet around in celebration as the crowd roared him on and he charged into a drop shot and beat Alcaraz down the line.

Ugo Carabelli saved a second match point as he levelled at 5-5, but then couldn’t break from 0-40 on Alcaraz’s serve.

Alcaraz did not miss out on the same chance as he broke to love to seal the win.